What's the correct 3.0 temperature with a 2.7 temp. gauge?
 

Hi all: Got my 3.0 put in and have it connected to the temp gauge that was on the 2.7. I realize the temp gauges in SCs are different, or at least I've seen as much. So the question is: what would be the correct and safe reading with a 2.7-type temp gauge. Currently, the 3.0 is hovering just below 180 here in So. Calif. air. The 2.7 went as high as 210. I'm not running an oil cooler, either. Is 180 safe for the 3 liter, or too hot.

Thanks in advance.

1977-89 had the same temp sender. 1974-76 had a different one. I would just swap the old one from your 2.7L and use it with the 3.0L. They should fit in the same location.

The bottom line is that the gauge must be matched to the sender...

-Wayne

I believe the 2.7 sender was used...
 

...though I'm not sure. My primary concern was the temperature that the motor is running. Is 180 normal? Is it common for the 2.7, which at 210 degrees, to run 30 degrees warmer than a 3 liter? Or is all this somewhat moot?

Thanks.

If you had the five-blade fan, and the thermal reactors on the 2.7, then the answer is yes, it is normal to see the higher temps in the 2.7...

The delta between the two seems a bit high though to me...

-Wayne